Sean Cooney Storyteller

Mesmerising stories for all ages and settings

News

A very busy year singing with the Young'uns is once again going to limit my storytelling trips in 2016 but I do have odd dates available in the weeks commencing 23rd May, 6th June, 13th June, 27th June and in September

Delighted to be nominated for the 2nd year in a row for Best Group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards with the Young'uns. Looking forward to the awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on 27th April. After winning the award in 2015, this year proves to be even busier with a tour of Australia in March, an 18 date UK tour in April, tour of Canada in July and lots of festivals including Shepley, Beverely, Lym, Ely, Moonbeams, Sidmouth, Wickham, Broadstairs, Folk East, Towersey, Bromyard, Derby and more!

Have been really enjoying delivering Storytelling INSET half day sessions recently - the latest being at St Mark's Primary School Stockport

STORYTELLING HALF DAY INSET

In 3 parts

1. Storytelling - Inspiring staff to become natural storytellers to their pupils with a range of fun activities, games, techniques and tips that can be taken into the classroom and wider school environment to stimulate speaking, listening and motor skills across the curriculum.

2. Story making - Demonstrating with resources how to stimulate young imaginations through story making activities featuring a range of methods, accessible for children with special needs

3. Story & Song - Leading staff in a fun session of simple, accessible songs focusing on how to use music in Phase 1 phonics and across the curriculum

"Thanks so much for coming and doing an inset. It was fab and really motivated everyone. They were buzzing about it the next day and feel really inspired about to teach story telling in EYFS. You gave us lots of good ideas and we even ordered a lot of story telling props the next day. We can't wait for you to come back and work with the children.

I know ks1 were also buzzing from your visit and all staff were talking about you for the rest of the week!!!"

St Mark's Primary School Stockport February 2016

Costs - from £250

Please get in touch if you are interested 07581550903 cooneyfolk@gmail.com

So glad I had the time to properly celebrate National Storytelling Week this year. Had lovely 4 days in St Helen's, St Bega's and West View Schools in Hartlepool and Whitkirk Primary in Leeds with over 100 renditions of stories old and new about Vikings, Greeks, Mucky Mixtures, Eco Warriors and sausages to nearly 1000 kids

I'm currently filling my storybag with magic nuggets and preparing a few school visits in January and February. I still have some dates available for National Storytelling Week 30th Jan - 6th Feb 2016. Drop me a line at cooneyfolk@gmail.com for more information.

Sadly my availaiblity for solo school visits and projects across the year is limited in 2016 as I continue to spend most of my time touring with the Young'uns in Australia, Canada and across the UK. However I have got some availabilty in the Autumn term 2016.

Had an incredible year being a folk singer with the Young'uns. In April we were shocked and honoured to win Best Group at the 2015 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Since then we've brought out a new album, toured extensively in the UK, spent 2 weeks touring Canada and done many UK festivals.

All this means, my storytelling has been limited and I find myself having to turn down lovley offers to visit schools and be involved in projects. However, I do my best to fit in school visits where I can, have slightly more availability throughout the winter months and am taking bookings for National Storytelling Week 2016 30 Jan-6 Feb.

4 days, 500 miles, 1000 children and 100 stories. What a great time I had celebrating National Storytelling Week with the children and staff of Caistor Primary School (Lincolnshire), SS John Fisher & Thomas More Primary School (Manchester) and St Helen's and West View Primary Schools (Hartlepool)

I've moved to Sheffield! Still busy as a badger singing all over the place with the Young'uns which limits my availability for storytelling but looking for some new partners in South Yorkshire and have dates free for National Storytelling Week 31st Jan - 7th Feb 2015

I've just spent the morning filming stories at Manchester University. Its for an excitiing reserach project led by Emma Gowen a cognitivie neuroscientist in which a storytelling computer game is developed. The aim is to develop the motor therapy of children with autism by having them imiate the actions I make during stories and receiving feedback and moving up levels according to how well they match the actions

Had a fantastic year with the Young'uns perfoming at 20 festivals and counting. Highlights have included sharing a stage with Billy Bragg at Glastonbury, opening the main stage at Cambridge Folk Festival and performing a live session for Mark Radcliffe's BBC Radio 2 Folk show. Keep up to date with all Young'uns news and dates at www.theyounguns.co.uk